Ottawa Health Services Network Inc. [OHSNI] is committed to protecting your privacy and meeting all the requirements of Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
What is personal health information?
Personal health information is personal information collected about your health or health care history.
What information is collected?
- Your name and community
- Your date of birth
- Your health insurance number
- Your current medical situation, diagnosis, medications, allergies and past medical conditions
- Ottawa appointment information- date, time, location, health professional
- Any special care instructions
What does OHSNI do with my information?
- Assess your needs based on the information collected.
- Provide health and social services relevant to your needs.
- Share your information with others involved in planning and providing your care including staff in Ottawa and in the Qikiqtani Region
Can I refuse to provide information?
The choice to share personal health information is yours. However your decision to withhold information may limit our ability to fully meet your health care needs.
Who will OHSNI share and/or disclose my information to if I give consent?
To meet your identified needs and provide services, there is a need to communicate with your health team. The consent you sign allows us to share information with the following health team members as needed:
- Funders (e.g. .NIHB, Nunavut Health Insurance)
- Qikqitani Region and Ottawa Health Care Team (e.g. physicians, pharmacists, emergency contacts, community nurses)
- Team Members (e.g. managers, schedulers, MD,RN, RPN, OT, PT, SW, RD)
- Other health or social agencies (e.g. CareFor, Ottawa Public Health, Dental offices, Baffin Public Health, Iqaluit Rehabilitation Services, Baffin Home Care )
- Other contractors or funders (e.g. WSIB)
- Vendors of medical equipment or oxygen (for use in Ottawa or for during travel)
- Designated family members, escorts and caregivers
- Quality reviews (e.g. chart audits by regulatory bodies: College of Nurses)
Disclosure of your personal health information beyond the above would require OHSNI to ask you for additional consent. If you identify any exceptions to the sharing of your personal information, it will be recorded and respected.
How does OHSNI protect my health records?
Your health record will be stored at the OHSNI office. OHSNI takes all reasonable steps to protect your personal health information from loss, unauthorized access, destruction or alteration. Copies of all information are shared with Qikiqtani General Hospital and your local Community Health Center.
If you wish to obtain more information or speak to someone at OHSNI about privacy issues please contact the Director of Operations at 613-523-7822 ext 112.
